UAE announces Eid Al Fitr 2013

ABU DHABI // Eid al Fitr celebrations begin on Thursday, following confirmation on Wednesday night of the sighting of the new moon which marked the end of Ramadan.

In line with Islamic tradition, teams are dispatched on the 29th day of Ramadan to try to catch a glimpse of the new crescent moon, which dictates the start of the feast of Eid al Fitr.

The UAE government’s moon-sighting committee announced the beginning of Eid from the Abu Dhabi Judiciary building at about 9pm.

The committee met after maghreb prayer on Wednesday to determine whether Ramadan had ended.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, took to Twitter to send his well wishes: "I congratulate the UAE people and all Muslims across the world on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr".

He also tweeted: "May this Eid be an occasion for tolerance and togetherness to prevail in the Arab and the Islamic world".

Families who have been fasting during daylight hours for the holy month were to gather at Abu Dhabi mosques tomorrow for the dawn prayer.

This is followed by the Eid prayer which, traditionally, takes place outdoors. Then families congregate for a day of feasts and celebration, as couples visit their parents and children receive gifts.

Ahmed Dallou, 33, a chef at a catering company in Abu Dhabi, and his friend and colleague Abdelfattah Abdulmajed, 35, were spotted on the Corniche breakwater near the giant flagpole.

“We’re here to enjoy the view,” Mr Dallou said. “It’s the last day of Ramadan and we’re all looking forward to Eid.”

They left the Corniche a few minutes before the muezzin’s call to maghrib prayer, bringing an end to the day’s fasting.

“We will go to the mosque early in the morning and spend the rest of the day with our relatives and friends,” Mr Dallou said.

Today’s weather is expected to be partly cloudy over some areas. The amount of clouds will increase over the eastern areas with a chance of some towering clouds.

There will be moderate winds in general, freshening at times, causing blowing dust and sand over internal areas that may lead to poor horizontal visibility, the NCMS forecast states.

rruiz@thenational.ae